Significant Sprinkler Activations Occurred During a Commercial Fire; Why?
We were tasked with assisting stakeholders on an understanding of why a relatively standard fire scenario resulted in excess sprinkler activations, exceeding the hydraulic demand area of the sprinkler system. Interactions included sprinkler characteristics, mechanical exhaust, commodities, and sprinkler shielding.
We performed computational fluid dynamics modeling through FDS to examine variables which may had resulted in the decreased performance of the sprinkler system. Several factors were examined with a plausible explanation of why this phenomenon occurred in this specific occupancy.
The fire modeling approach provided closure to the stakeholders and allowed them to take the next steps in improving their storage conditions and methods of fire protection in the future.
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 92, Standard for Smoke Control Systems
International Building Code Section 910, Smoke and Heat Venting
Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)
